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No, no, no, 1,000 times no. That’s pretty much the answer that Assembly Republican Minority Leader and Congressional candidate Jim Tedisco finally gave, after weeks of being beaten up for his refusal to answer, as to how he’d vote on the $780 billion federal stimulus bill.

“No. That’s the answer,” said Tedisco, who is running for the 20th Congressional district seat formerly held by Kirsten Gillibrand.

“I’m going on the record now to say I would have voted no.”

Tedisco, who has seen his lead in this largely Republican district fade to 4 percent over Democrat Scott Murphy, made his negative pronouncement a few minutes ago at an Assembly press conference in which he urged closer scrutiny of the copious bonuses that AIG insurance is giving its executives. He also congratulated AG Andrew Cuomo for his pushback against the bonuses as well.

Clearly, though, the news that came out of this event was Tedisco’s effort to clarify the nagging question about the stimulus, which Murphy has supported.

Tedisco did offer some caveats. He said his main objection to the stimulus was the $300 billion in pork that was attached. Those monies, he said, would be better used to augment the stimulus tax cuts and if he were in Congress he would have offered an amendment to that effect.

He also used his stimulus discussion to attack Murphy on a couple of new fronts. How, asked Tedisco, could Murphy be so sure that the stimulus was a good thing that he would say he supported it the day after it was offered, and before he presumably could digest the 1,100-page bill.

Tedisco added that he’s taking his “no” stance after hearing from constituents in the district. We’re not sure of this yet, but there could be some poll numbers to indicate that people are having doubts about the stimulus, given the ongoing slump in the stock market and what seems to be ever-rising unemployment.

Still, Tedisco’s answer also brings him in line with Congressional Republicans who to a member voted against the stimulus and given how the GOP has been doing lately, is a bit of a calculated risk.

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